I’ve been back home for a few days since the end of the legislative session, taking phone calls and answering emails from constituents who are outraged about the condition of the state. Through those discussions, I have realized a couple of things.

The number one issue I hear is that people are frustrated that the state isn’t serving the people of Illinois. Loudly and clearly, I hear calls from my constituents for unity between General Assembly and the governor. They want us to pass a budget that doesn’t leave people stranded without the support they desperately need.

No one wants the disabled to go without essential care. No one wants to force classroom cuts or layoffs at public schools. No one wants to continue down the path that we seemingly can’t get off of.

At the same time, the governor has been traveling around the state on a rampage to not only divide the legislature, but to divide the state. Instead of using his time and resources to endlessly tour the state talking about what’s wrong, I call on the governor to do the right thing. Sit down with legislators, compromise on a budget, continue to hash out reform ideas.

While it may seem like we are far from getting anything done, I’m still hopeful that we can come together and resolve the impasse. We need to put our differences aside and work toward a common goal: to fund essential services in the state. We are already in a dire position and can’t wait any longer. Unity is the only way forward.